There’s no rush into free-agent market

The free-agent moratorium was lifted Tuesday at 9:01 p.m., and the Lakers were still looking for the right player at the right price.

Like a majority of teams in the league, the Lakers still have their entire mid-level exception at their dispersal -- $5.36 million toward next season -- although they are spending it more slowly than last summer’s immediate push to sign Vladimir Radmanovic as soon as the free-agent period began.

Derek Fisher, who turns 33 next month, remains a strong possibility, although his age probably prevents him from receiving more than a three-year contract for about $18 million, a league source said.

Last weekend, Fisher switched agents from Mark Bartelstein to Rob Pelinka, who also represents Kobe Bryant.

Fisher was a confidant of Bryant when the two played together for eight seasons with the Lakers.

Fisher recently left behind almost $21 million in guaranteed money with the Utah Jazz to become a free agent.

Another possibility for the Lakers is point guard Steve Blake, who is seeking a five-year deal worth $31.4 million, the maximum numbers allowed under mid-level exception rules.

The end of the moratorium meant that teams could officially sign free agents after being allowed only to agree to terms with them when the free-agency period began June 30. The Lakers had agreed to terms with forward Luke Walton on a six-year, $30-million contract that can now be formally announced.

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The NBA announced a salary cap of $55.63 million for the 2007-08 season, an increase from last season’s salary cap of $53.14 million.

The luxury tax for 2007-08 kicks in at $67.865 million, an increase from last season’s tax threshold of $65.42 million. A dollar-for-dollar penalty will be assessed each team that goes over the threshold.

After signing Walton and rookie Javaris Crittenton, the Lakers have 12 players under contract for next season for a total of about $64 million. If the Lakers spend their entire mid-level exception for next season, they will be over the luxury-tax threshold by $1.5 million.

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